<p>Hey! I needed some clarification on the requirements for UC Schools. According to College Board, all the UC schools have a Visual/Performing Arts requirement. I am currently a junior in High School and I am choosing my schedule for next year and I was wondering if I need to take some sort of Art class in order to apply to any of the UC schools. If so, do computer art classes (Photoshop, After Effects, etc.) or web design classes count toward this requirement? If this changes anything, I am an out of state student.</p>
<p>The best way to do it would be to talk to your Counselor and ask them if it counts as a visual/performing arts class. Photoshop and After Effects do sound like visual and performing arts but just ask your counselor to be the on the safe side. You have plenty of time to check anyways.</p>
<p>That is correct. Ask your counselor, also; you could take say, an art history class in addition to the ones commented by the others. It is an option. :)</p>
<p><a href=“http://doorways.ucop.edu%5B/url%5D”>http://doorways.ucop.edu</a> will answer your question if you are at a California public or private high school, but out-of-state students may have a harder time finding the answers (though you can try that site to see if similar courses at California high schools are eligible to fulfill the requirement in order to make a better, but non-assured, guess).</p>
<p>One unit (equivalent to one year) required chosen from one of the following categories:</p>
<p>dance
drama/theater
music
visual arts
Course guidance</p>
<p>The intention of this requirement is to provide a meaningful experience and breadth of knowledge of the arts so that students may apply their knowledge and experience to the creation of art and are better able to understand and appreciate artistic expression on the basis of that experience and knowledge. Approved visual and performing arts (VPA) courses must be directed at acquiring concepts, knowledge and skills in the arts disciplines, rather than to utilize artistic activities to fulfill non-artistic course objectives.</p>
<p>Design and technology courses</p>
<p>Visual and performing arts courses in design are expected to provide substantial time for students to understand, learn and experience the elements of art and principles of design that underlie the medium/media addressed. Design courses must also include standards from all five component strands of the VPA Content Standards [PDF].</p>
<p>Courses that utilize technology must focus primarily on arts content. If the technology (i.e., software, equipment) is used as a tool of artistic expression, as a paintbrush would be used in a painting course, and all other component strands are adequately met, then such courses are acceptable. If the technology/software is so complex that the primary concern becomes learning the technology, then the course may not be approved.</p>
<p>Often, design and technology courses focus more on the technical aspects of these disciplines, rather than the “art.” To be acceptable, such courses must focus significantly on the fundamental elements of art and principles of design, adequately cover the historical/cultural context, allow ample opportunity for students to critique art (self, peer or professional-produced) and make connections to other art forms, subject areas and/or career opportunities.</p>
<p>Yes, senior year courses count to the a-g requirements. But admission offers are conditional on completing the previously stated senior year courses with acceptable grades (commonly 3.0 GPA with no D/F grades as reported in previous years, but may vary by campus).</p>
<p>Game design does not sound like it would fit the description above. </p>
<p>MAYBE photoshop would. I think they will what to scrutinize the course syllabus/content for what I copied above. There are more details about it in the link. I’m pretty sure they would not accept my son’s photoshop “course”. In that case it was also “self-study” for his work on the yearbook, and that might have been why.</p>
<p>Does Honors level Art History count as a Visual Art Course? Unfortunately, my school doesn’t offer AP Art History and I can’t think of many other courses to take. AP Art History sounded like a very interesting course and would be a great substitute for a normal art class because I am not very artistic and I believe that all of the computer art courses at my school are focused on the software aspect rather than the artistic aspect. I am still very confused on what UC Schools will accept because I am an out-of-state student.</p>
<p>By the way, I was thinking about self-studying AP Art History but, I am afraid of not passing the exam, therefore, losing my chance of attending any UC schools.</p>